Monalee scores to give De Bromhead more Cheltenham options

Cheltenham week this year already looked like it was going to be the busiest yet for Henry de Bromhead, and yet another Knockeen inmate advertised his festival claims here as Monalee decisively landed the Grade 3 Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle under David Mullins.

Results and analysis

In ground as heavy as he has faced, and perhaps as heavy as he will ever face, he travelled like a good horse through the race and asserted well despite a slightly sloppy jump at the last, accounting for last year's Champion Bumper runner-up Battleford by almost five lengths. The other runners came home at lengthy intervals.